Alec Bradley Post Embargo Blend Code B15 Robusto – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Last year, Alec Bradley reintroduced its Post Embargo line with the new Blend Code B15. The revival marks a return to the line’s roots with a refreshed look and formula, initially launched in 2015 and designed to evoke the era after the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The latest iteration includes a Honduran Trojes criollo-seed wrapper, dual binders from Honduras—one from Jamastran corojo-seed and another from Trojes criollo-seed—and a blend of fillers featuring Honduran Jamastran corojo, Trojes criollo, and Nicaraguan criollo from Jalapa.

This line continues to be produced by Raíces Cubana in Honduras and maintains its status as a regular production offering. It features three sizes, each with a pigtail cap: Gordo (6 x 60), Robusto (5 x 52), and Toro (6 x 52), priced competitively within the market. The Post Embargo Blend Code B15 not only seeks to offer a unique smoking experience but also serves as a nod to what could have been, utilizing the original envisioned packaging and maintaining the line’s celebratory ethos as articulated by Bradley Rubin at the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduran Criollo
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5 – Kevin J. (maninblack77) Noah S. (Noah) Jessica (Stogie Sister) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Diana (ArmyRN)
Price: $8.99
Age: 7 Months
Release Date: September 2023
Contributed by: Forged Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions – Alec Bradley Post Embargo Blend Code B15 Robusto

Appearance: 94

“The dark, oily, toothy wrapper looks delicious. Just a slight vein bump near the shoulder but tight seams throughout. Love the small fantail cap.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

Aroma: 91

“I did not get the expected barnyard, hay or straw, that I experience with many other cigars. This was a soft and mellow smell that hit my nose like I was sniffing a non-peaty bourbon. There was a hint of cedar and mineral added to the bourbon on the dry draw. I’m intrigued.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Enjoyed the well-blended notes of the first third: hay, wheat bread, and a hint of baking spice. The retrohale accentuated the baking spice.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister) “Enjoyed the well-blended notes of the first third: hay, wheat bread, and a hint of baking spice. The retrohale accentuated the baking spice.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“Off the light, the draw is a little snug but not obtrusively so and the smoke is noticeably smooth. Initially the flavors are a little muted however I am absolutely in love with the aroma of the smoke that is distinct and familiar, very much like what welcomes me when walking into my local cigar shop. Of the flavors present right out of the gate, I’m getting a mix of bitter oak, spicy red pepper flakes and salty peanut shell. This mix is peculiar and could benefit from a little more balance in my opinion but I certainly don’t hate it and am enjoying this smoke none the less. The retro echoes the same few flavors with an extra emphasis on the red pepper spice that really lights up the sinuses in the most pleasant of ways.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This is a nice mix of nuts, figs, bourbon and wood. It does not stray from this combination but I’m not hating it. The combination is actually quite pleasing. The blend of flavors are actually so well melded that it can be difficult to pick out each individual note. The finish is sweet and savory and lasts well after the draw.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“The cacao note, from the last third, has morphed and refined itself as a wonderful coffee note. Lucky for the me the grassy note, from early in the first third, have completely disappeared. The retrohale has morphed as well. It has this dense chocolate mousse characteristic that is intoxicating. The mouthfeel and finished have jumped up a notch too.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Heading into the final third, the strength and body are still medium and the mix of flavors continues to be coffee, leather, chocolate and cedar. It was an overall satisfying finish to this cigar, as it performed rather flawlessly yet something seemed to be missing and I can’t quite figure out what it was.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“This cigar is remaining consistent in its flavor notes. The only note that falls back a bit is the fig, but that could be expected as I near the finish of this cigar. Bourbon and mineral are the strongest at this point. The core flavors have not changed, with bourbon, wood, and figs in every draw.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Overall Impressions – Alec Bradley Post Embargo Blend Code B15 Robusto

Draw: 94

“Not too loose and not too tight. The draw was consistent and excellent for me. It was an easy cigar to smoke without being rushed by a loose draw burning the cigar too fast.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Burn: 94

“The burn on this stick was nothing but perfection with a razor thin burn line from start to finish that never strayed a bit and a tight white ash that hung on for well over an inch at a time. No touchups or relights were needed which is always a major plus in my book.” –Noah S.

Construction: 93

“Aside from the tiny vein bump near the shoulder, the cigar looked and burned perfectly.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 94

“This was a good cigar and was satisfying overall but some more pop in the flavors would have scored it higher. The first third was more of a whimper but things progressed from there. I’d recommend trying a single of these or even a fiver but nothing beyond that.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“Aside from a draw that was just a tad bit tight out of the gate, performance and the overall smoking experience is really where this cigar shined. Not only did this stick burn like a champ from start to finish, beyond the initial light I didn’t even have to give my torch a second look and the smoke output was pretty impressive. The mix of flavors was a little unorthodox and even though it didn’t align perfectly with my taste, I found the majority of this smoke enjoyable. Towards the end, the intensity of flavors became a bit much even for me especially on the finish. By no means was this a bad smoke, however the lack of balance kept it from being great in my eyes. I think that the right pairing could certainly contribute the balance that it needs to really elevate the flavor profiles but it just didn’t have enough to stand up on its own in my opinion. I would certainly give it a go again but would probably let it rest in the humidor for a period of time to see if a little age tames the intensity down a bit or coaxes anything other flavors out of the profile.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“I smoked this cigar down to the nub and enjoyed it. I could see how someone might miss some of the notes in this cigar if they weren’t paying attention to the experience as it’s well blended.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“This cigar clicks a lot of boxes that I like. First, and foremost, it relies on flavor over strength. The flavors work well together. Outside of that early grassiness the profile was very enjoyable. It smoked coolly and slow forcing me to examine its character. I could see myself reaching for this again and enjoying it in a situation. Kudos.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“This was an interesting cigar for me. The flavor notes were very unusual but somehow so melded that it was a challenge to identify them separately at times. The balance of un-peaty bourbon notes with the sweetness of figs provided a very unique flavor. Mixing in wood and on occasion nuts, gave this cigar a very savory yet sweet flavor profile. Additionally, the medium strength allows this cigar to smoke any time of the day. I found it to be an ultra-relaxing cigar. Easy to smoke, perfect viola, and an interesting flavor profile. Definitely worth keeping some in the humidor.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 75

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Alec Bradley Post Embargo Blend Code B15 Robusto – Blind Cigar Review